Responsible Travel Policy
 
Skyros provides holistic holidays which emphasize being rather than having, doing rather than consuming and cooperating rather than competing. All staff and course participants are made fully aware of our ethos and principles. Regular meetings give the whole community a chance to talk to each other and to give participants a say in the structure of their daily life. Participants are provided with pre-trip information on the host community and are given a Responsible Travel briefing including practical advice on social interaction with the local people. During the holiday there are opportunities to learn some local language and eat locally-sourced organic national cuisine.

The aim is to create an ethical mini-society which can inspire changes beneficial both to the individual and to the world in which we live.

Some examples of our positive commitment at each of our travel sites appear below - we are committed to an eco-friendly future and welcome creative ideas submitted by staff, suppliers and course participants.

Social Responsibility

In tune with this aim, Skyros encourages responsible integration with the local communities including the teaching of local history, culture and language or the sponsorship of events such as the Skyros mini-marathon. In Southeast Asia, guests are encouraged to give locals English lessons and we have local guides. In the same spirit, Skyros has contributed generously towards the purchase of computers for Skyros’ local school, new medical equipment for its Health Centre, the refurbishment of its school theatre and the protection of its forest. Skyros also supports the welfare of the Skyrian horses, dogs and cats, work of the island’s folk dance society and the local children’s Tae- Kwon-Do group.

Economic Responsibility

Unlike so many multinational holiday companies, Skyros uses locally owned and maintained facilities with policies in place that favour local produce and services. Guests visiting shops, bars and tavernas offsite are, likewise, directly benefiting the local economy. Locals are employed wherever this is possible – on Salsa dancing trips to Cuba, for example, each participant is matched to a local dance partner specifically employed for the purpose.

Environmental responsibility

Atsitsa is fully in tune with the natural environment. Motorised sea sports have never been introduced, kitchen and shower water is recycled, the showers are heated by solar panels and the external lighting is solar powered. We are also working with the local authority to bring further recycling to the island – plastic, glass and aluminium.

Skyros provides holistic holidays that emphasise being rather than having, doing rather than consuming, and co-operating rather than competing. The aim is to create an ethical mini-society which can inspire changes beneficial both to the individual and to the world in which we live.

Sustainable Living

In tune with this aim, Skyros encourages responsible integration with the local communities and has contributed generously towards several communal projects. It also stands for sustainable living. the latter requires the reappraisal of the promises made by our materialistic, consumer, technocratic culture. This means: consume less and ethically, use everything more efficiently, recycle when you can, meet your needs without compromising the abilitiy of future generations to meet their own. Make something rather than buy it. It also requires the re-evaluation of our own goals. This involves the development of all our potentials as parents, partners, colleagues, friends, members of our community and citizens but also as creative human beings. Going for it is like embarking on a journey to a better future. if you haven't started it already, start now in Skyros.